On a recent hot and humid Wednesday afternoon at Brackenridge Golf Course, Reagan junior Kinsey Ray and teammates made their way around the historical tract. For nine holes, the group worked on everything from drives to putts in preparation for the upcoming UIL state championships.

The session was not much different from what the golfers endured throughout the season. Yet for Ray, it was different. She and her game have transformed. The days of one good round being followed by an up-and-down one have been replaced with back-to-back solid performances.

Ray’s potential has increasingly become reality.

“It’s just an exciting experience just learning and developing into a better player,” Ray said. “I’m more solid and more consistent that I was last year. I have more confidence.”

Ray will team with seniors Romina Gonzalez and Megan Sells, junior Michelle Becker and freshman Kaylee Cruz to lead Reagan to the Class 6A state tournament Monday and Tuesday at Legacy Hills Golf Club in Georgetown. The Rattlers are making their second straight appearance at the event. They were 12th in 2017.

“It’s definitely a lot of pressure, especially with all the crowds and knowing that it’s a big tournament,” said Gonzalez, a St. Edward’s signee who was fourth at the Region IV-6A tournament, of playing at state. “But you’ve just got to do what you do. It’s all mental. You’ve just got to keep your positive attitude on. You’ve got to forget the bad holes and bad scores and keep on going.”

A year ago, Ray was on Reagan’s No. 2 team. She qualified for the Region IV-6A tournament as a medalist and performed well enough to be called up to the No. 1 squad for state. Ray carded an 86-85-171, well outside of the top 10, but still a promising indicator.

“You try and get as many kids in competitive situations and under as much pressure as possible so when they do get this opportunity, they’ll be prepared,” Reagan coach Brent McCuiston said. “She benefited huge from her experience, from last year and the battles that she was in. This year, that maturity started to really show itself.”

In her last five events, Ray won the District 26-6A tournament, was seventh at the North East ISD Tournament of Champions, tied for 12th at regionals, was 20th at the Lakeapalooza and 22nd at the Viper Classic, both in Austin.

“I feel like the pressure of the competition and the tournaments definitely helped me develop into a good player,” Ray said. “I feel like (playing at state last year and junior tournaments last summer) made me even stronger, knowing that I have as much potential as I did. It just kind of clicked and I was, ‘OK, I’ve got this.’”